Rockets report: Hakeem Olajuwon's legacy about more than on-court achievements

As much as the Rockets were happy to celebrate the career of Hakeem Olajuwon, Tuesday's 50th anniversary honoree, they cited his influence and friendship as much as his accomplishments.

"I've seen the highlights and everything he's done for the organization; he leads the organization in every statistic," Rockets guard James Harden said. "I'm honored to be a part of it. Obviously, he's around our locker room very, very often so we have conversations. His play, the way he impacted the game on both ends of the floor, that's why he's one of the best ever.

"We talk all the time, not just about basketball, but about life in general. He had a really good career, but he's doing some amazing things off the court as well. Anytime I have any questions about anything, to pick his brain, he's there for me. It's kind of a weird feeling, to have Dream to ask questions of."

Olajuwon only recently returned to Houston from his home outside London and has not been at Rockets practices as much as in past seasons. But he has been around enough for current players get to know the greatest player in franchise history.

"He's such a great guy. You run into him, and he's such a nice guy," Rockets forward Ryan Anderson said. "You don't run into a lot of superstar talents like that who are genuinely good people. He's one of them. He deserves every honor, especially in this city and with this team."

All too familiar with Olajuwon

With the Rockets game against the Magic on NBA-TV on Tuesday, former Magic star Dennis Scott was on hand on the night Hakeem Olajuwon was the Rockets' nightly 50th Anniversary honoree. Scott, however, did not need the video that played between the first and second quarters to recall Olajuwon at the height of his powers.

"When I see him, I have a different feeling," Scott said with memories of the 1995 Finals. "One of those rings he has should be mine.

"Seriously, for me, I got back to when Hakeem was in college, watching him at Phi Slama Jama. That's when I fell in love with Hakeem. You knew that some kid running up and down the floor was dominating the game on the defensive end of the floor. He may have been the first guy in college basketball whose offensive game came late."

Scott, who averaged 10.5 points in the 1995 Finals, still looks back at that series with appreciation for Olajuwon's excellence.

"Those 24 months, '94 and '95, what he did to David Robinson, he gave him the kitchen sink, the pots, the pans, the forks, the spoons, and David Robinson couldn't do anything with him," Scott said. "The '95 Finals, Shaq's (Shaquille O'Neal) numbers were great, but we lost all four games."

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Rockets forward Ryan Anderson joined his teammates in expressing appreciation for practice days on the Rockets' home court. For him, however, it might be more valuable.

Anderson has shot far better on the road than in Toyota Center this season, making 47.3 percent of his 3s in road games, and just 30.3 percent of his 3s at home heading into Tuesday's game. He has averaged 16.7 points in 27 road games, 10.7 points on 24 home games.

"Great naps on the road. Hotel room service is really good for me," Anderson said.

With that, he had to admit he really doesn't know why he has struggled on his home court.

"I don't know. I have no idea," Anderson said. "There is no method to the madness. Maybe I just have to get used to the red court, I don't know. But it'll get better. There aren't really any answers to that. It's just how it's been. I'm happy with the way this group is playing. I'm happy with my role on this team. Regardless of if I shoot it good or bad, I want to do my job and space the court for James (Harden) and hopefully knock down a few shots."

Despite Anderson's shooting issues at home, he believes more time at home would be beneficial.

"Our schedule on the road has been nuts," he said. "Anytime we get a chance to practice in this building, it's big. It's important for us to spend as much time in here as we can."